JOANNE Watkinson
EAST IS BEST FOR STREET STYLE
Despite, Shanghai, Beijing, Tokyo and Seoul hosting their own fashion weeks, the cities have never been considered to be among the Big Four (London, Paris, New York and Milan) when it comes to fashion.
But thanks to TikTok, Beijing, Jakarta and Seoul have become the epicentre of street style.
And it’s little wonder that the eclectic styling seen across this vast continent has caught the attention of the western fashion world.
I trawled through an enormous amount of images to be able to define for you the Asian street style looks that are making waves. But that’s the beauty of this genre of fashion, it can’t be pigeonholed.
The unexpected combinations make it almost impossible to define, with everything from edgy all-black ensembles to stand-out prints and bold sportswear paired with deconstructed tailoring.
While definition is difficult, taking inspiration is a must.
Kick off with some lug-sole (track sole) boots or penny loafers. For this look, footwear is always comfortable.
Try a trench coat, but make it over-sized and long.
Experiment with layers and texture.
Gilets, quilting, long socks – playing with proportions is part of the overall appeal.
Other accessories, sunglasses, face masks and hats, are statement but not gaudy.
Experiment with colour. If you’re not feeling brave, try a bold sock with your sneakers or a bright beanie hat.
Don’t worry about matching, while this isn’t about haphazard styling, it is about individuality, an opportunity to free style, mixing your block colours.
One thing I have spotted a lot of is high/low styling (mixing designer pieces with vintage or less expensive garments).
A major handbag or a designer cap, both investment pieces, are items you will wear time and time again.
You can even rent a designer handbag at sites like hurrcollective.com, which is a fun way to try before you buy.
If, like me, you live in a university city, you will have seen the fashion international students bring to the city.
The global undergrads are leading the charge when it comes to street fashion, bucking trends not following them.
It’s refreshing and a world away from the shackles of fast fashion and endless new trends.
Keep your eyes peeled, the inspiration is out there.